Max Ammann giving a speach at his birthday party. Wife Korine listens behind, and the Event Director Tom Gordin and Course Designer Olaf Petersen follow on the side. Photo Satu Pirinen.

The legendary Swiss Max Ammann spent his 80th anniversary in Helsinki Horse Show on Thursday. A group of Finnish and foreign friends gathered in a surprise party for his honor.  Ammann designed, founded and led for 25 years the fabulous World Cup series. Later he founded the World Cup Driving series. Ammann has aslo lead the over 100-year-old Nations Cup series in the FEI. Ammanns’s advice and help played a decisive role of Helsinki International Horse Show becoming a World Cup qualifier in 1986.